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Vail Daily obituary: Douglass Cady Cogswell, 1945-2016

Douglass Cady Cogswell died peacefully after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease on Nov. 20, 2016, in Colorado Springs.

He was born October 9, 1945, at Mare Island Naval Base, Vallejo, California, to the late Dr. Walter Ferris Cogswell and Heather McLeod Cogswell. He is survived by his beloved wife, Moira Mendenhall Cogswell; his children Katy Courtney (Mike), Sara Baker (Mike), and Timothy Cogswell (McKinzie); siblings William H.C. Cogswell (Susie), John G. Cogswell (Patti), Heather Cogswell Olson (George) and Jennifer D. Cogswell; grandchildren Madison and Chayse Courtney; Cohen, Cameron and Jackson Baker; and Paizley and Karsten Cogswell.

Doug was a graduate of Cheyenne Mountain High School, Colorado Springs, and served in the U.S. Navy as a medical corpsman in Memphis, Tennessee. Returning to Colorado, he subsequently graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder.



From there his life propelled him into what would be his ultimate calling, the hospitality industry. He began his adventure at the Lodge at Vail as the assistant manager and then the food and beverage director and then on to The Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs, first as executive assistant manager before being promoted to general manager and vice president. On Jan. 1, 1984, Doug became the general manager, and then vice president of operations of the Broadmoor Hotel. Following his employment at “the Grand Old Lady,” Doug would manage various other esteemed hotels and ski operations, including The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Vail and Denver, the Magnolia Hotel of Denver, Colorado Ski Country USA and Vail Resorts.

Doug was involved with many charities and civic boards, too numerous to list in their entirety. Some of the highlights include president and chairman of the board for the Colorado/Wyoming Hotel and Motel Association and chairman of numerous committees within the American Hotel and Motel Association. He served on the board of directors for the Air Force Academy Foundation, Colorado Springs Downtowners, Colorado Springs Executives Association and the Pikes Peak Motel Association. As an alumni and supporter of the University of Colorado, he was honored to hold the position of chairman of executive development while also serving on the Business Alumni Advisory Council.

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Doug’s personality was magnetic and he was always a bright light in the room. His signature yodel and his professional dances were some of his famous trademarks. But he will most be remembered for his unique relationship with people. He lived to make those around him feel welcomed, comfortable and happy whether it was a guest or employee at work, a stranger in passing or an old friend in his home. His love of life was contagious and his glass-half-full attitude overflowed in all aspects of his life. Doug’s sense of humor could bring people to their knees with laughter. He could lift moods instantly with his magnetic smile or when he gave you his all-encompassing bear hug. However, the love he gave over and over again to his family ran deep and made a lifelong impression on all them. His strength, his courage and incredibly big heart was steadfast until the very end.

A celebration of life will be held at Shove Memorial Chapel, 1010 N. Nevada Avenue on Thursday, Dec. 1, at 12 p.m. Donations may be made to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, 34 Washington St., Suite 200, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 or http://www.curealz.org.

A memorial for Doug will be held in the Vail area at a later determined date.


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